Vehicle towing apparatus

Abstract

A demountable hitch for quickly facilitating the engagement, lift and tow of one end of a vehicle which includes a transverse tow bar pivotally connected to a truck and a mounting rib upstanding thereon. The rib is demountably connected to a central portion of the tow bar and adapted for simple interlocking engagement of the towed vehicle rearwardly of the bumper thereon. The rib is encapsulated in a resilient material for increasing the frictional engagement with the bumper or vehicle frame to facilitate immediate towing while reducing the noise associated with the initial hook-up. In this manner a parked vehicle can be hitched and towed in a minimal amount of time and with a minimum of noise, which is particularly advantageous in times of emergency.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. Apparatus for directly lifting and towing one end of a vehicle between its chassis and bumper by a towing truck without the connection of conventional chains, said apparatus comprising: a tow sling attached to the towing truck;   a transverse tow bar attached to said tow sling for supportive engagement by the towing truck;   a mounting rib upstanding from the tow bar said rib being in demountable coupling therewith for permitting utilization of said tow bar without said rib, adapted for engaging the vehicle to be towed adjacent to a bumper thereon and between the bumper and vehicle chassis, thereby securing said bumper to the tow truck for towing without the connection of the conventional chains; and   said mounting rib comprising a stationary rigid beam structurally coupled to said tow bar and including a notched section formed centrally thereof for receiving structural frame members attached to said vehicle between its chassis and bumper for applying a horizontal force to the forward surface of the bumper to tow the vehicle.   
     
     
       2. The apparatus set forth in claim 1, wherein said tow bar is attached to a tow sling extending from and providing said supportive engagement by said towing truck, and wherein said apparatus also includes a pair of position arms structurally connecting said tow bar and said towing truck. 
     
     
       3. The apparatus set forth in claim 1, wherein said tow bar includes at least one hole formed therein and said mounting rib comprises said rigid beam having at least one arm depending thereform and adapted for demountable interlocking engagement in said hole formed in said tow bar. 
     
     
       4. The apparatus set forth in claim 1 wherein said tow bar includes a pair of holes formed therein and said mounting rib comprises said rigid beam having a pair of arms depending therefrom in generally parallel spaced configuration, adapted for interlocking engagement in said holes formed in said tow bar. 
     
     
       5. The apparatus set forth in claim 1 wherein said mounting rib includes an outer coating of energy absorbent material for reducing vehicle engagement noise associated therewith. 
     
     
       6. The apparatus set forth in claim 1 wherein said mounting rib includes a section of channel iron having at least one arm depending from the bottom surface thereof and adapted for interlocking engagement with said tow bar. 
     
     
       7. The apparatus set forth in claim 1 wherein said tow bar further includes a drag wheel centrally disposed on the bottom surface thereof and beneath said mounting rib for facilitating quiet interengagement between the towing truck and vehicle to be towed. 
     
     
       8. The apparatus set forth in claim 2 wherein said tow bar includes a pair of alignment springs, each of said pair of springs being connected at a first end to said tow bar and at a second end to one of said position arms at an intermediate point thereon between said tow bar and said towing truck for angulating said tow bar.